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When to Plant Savoy Cabbage in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska Zone 8a May

Your May game plan for Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska

Welcome to May in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 16 hrs
  1. Start savoy cabbage under lights

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: savoy cabbage

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Savoy cabbage has crinkled, deeply veined leaves that form looser heads than regular cabbage. It has a milder, sweeter flavor and is more cold-tolerant.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70°F, so choose short-season varieties of Savoy Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Savoy Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK (Zone 8a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
202 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Prince of Wales-Hyder

How your county's soil matches Savoy Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Savoy Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Prince of Wales-Hyder is excellent for Savoy Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Savoy Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (6.0%) — Savoy Cabbage will thrive.

How to Plant Savoy Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Savoy Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 202-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 720 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Savoy Cabbage

Savoy Cabbage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Savoy Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Prince of Wales-Hyder). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Savoy Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Savoy Cabbage needs ~225 GDD — county provides 505 GDD Excellent fit

Savoy Cabbage Planting Timeline — Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Savoy Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 – Aug 17
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Prince of Wales-Hyder

Growing Tips for Savoy Cabbage in Prince of Wales-Hyder

Direct sow Savoy Cabbage outdoors after April 13 in Prince of Wales-Hyder when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Savoy Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Prince of Wales-Hyder receives only 14" of rain annually. Savoy Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Savoy cabbage is more forgiving of temperature fluctuations than smooth-leaved types. Excellent for stuffed cabbage rolls.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Savoy Cabbage in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Savoy Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Prince of Wales-Hyder Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Prince of Wales-Hyder (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.